Shadow ball

Amara Eldwood

I could hardly recognize myself in the blue-tinted mirror by the time I was done.

Long tendrils of curly red fell around the sides of my face in short waves before sweeping down to my waist at the back.

I looked more beautiful than I had in years, with my porcelain face freshly powdered and my small straight nose reddened at the tip.

Fearful moss-green eyes flashed back at me, as I fingered the plunging V neckline of the dress that exposed the perky mounds of my breasts.

Dainty silver jewels curled around my arm all the way to my wrist like a sleeve, while my other arm remained bare save for the dainty green strap of the dress.

The ding of a bell in the distance told me it was midnight already and I glanced out the window anxiously, surprised by the twinkle of yellow fairy lights now cries-crossing the square.

“You’re as ready as you're ever going to be, Mara,” I sighed, pushing away from the vanity and admiring the glitter of my dress before snapping up the silver feather boa Amenie had left me.

My face itched under the mask when I snapped it around my hair, but the guard’s startled reactions when I drew open the door made me think better of taking it off.

“Which way is the ball?” I was breathless, my heart beating like a funeral drum in my chest as the men watched me silently, their faces unreadable.

Were the guards not allowed to talk to me too then?

“Follow the music, M’lady. We stay here.” One of the men finally stepped up, pointing at the open doorway at the end of the hall where the night bled through.

I nodded my thanks, my feet unsteady in the short princess heels Amenie had so thoughtfully suggested before that witch snatched her away.

The sight of the crystal moon hanging in the blue-black sky above my head made me inhale deeply.

Full. Goosebumps flared on my neck and back as I walked toward the glowing black building with bright yellow light bursting out of its large stone tower.

Wolves of every color were lined on the wide cathedral-like steps, their conversations shortening to a hush when they turned to face me.

“Crap…did I overdo it?” I hissed inwardly, resisting the urge to brush my hands through the loose curls of red hair falling into my eyes.

What would the four think?

I was standing at the foot of the giant double doors that opened into the hall all too soon, and the medley of pianos and violins made sweat itch on the back of my neck.

They used to have balls like this in Shadow Pack, but Mother and me had never been invited to one.

We always watched the neon yellow lights from my attic window, with the rattling of rats scurrying in the shadows as our drum beat.

“Chardonnay? Miss?” A servant’s questioning hum made me snap a half-filled wine glass from the tray he held out before I tipped my head gratefully.

Wine, of course…there was no way I was going to make it through the night without liquid courage in my veins.

“Isnt that the wretch? What the hell is she doing here?” One of the elite courtesans with a wide sparkly ball gown hissed, her harsh voice drawing my eyes to her pixie-like face.

She was beautiful, but her hate stabbed into my chest like a poisoned arrow, making my shoulders sag as I moved toward the front lines.

Everywhere I looked, sparkling fairy lights and disco balls hung down from the pointed ceiling in dainty, exquisite swoops as couples swished and danced around me.

I could feel the judging eyes of some wolves as they followed me through the crowd, the heat singing the hairs on the back of my neck.

I hadn't even realized I was looking out for The Four until Caius’ stormy gray eyes met mine from across the hall.

Every nerve in my body felt like it had exploded with heat as I stared at him. 

His ruffled blond hair curled beautifully around the lion-like mask he wore around the top half of his face.

“Oh god,” I breathed, stopping just short of squealing when I saw his full lips curve into a smile as he made his way through the crowd.

“Eldwood is it? I was wondering when you would show up,” He grinned, and my head felt large enough that I thought I would float away.

Caius had been searching for me?

My cheeks warmed as I opened and closed my mouth wordlessly.

“It’s a beautiful party, you should be proud,” I managed to say, inhaling his minty scent and feeling butterflies collide in my belly when he flashed me that charming smile again.

What was it with me today? 

Crap, had I taken too much wine?

“You look beautiful,” Caius breathed, his ears reddening when my eyes widened as his gaze swept over my body, freezing with interest on my breasts.

The spark I had felt when we first met soared through my body again when I felt his wide hands brush against the small of my back.

He was so hot that it was difficult for me to think and react in the moment as he showed me to some of his guests. 

Perfectly regal-looking wolves who didn't have as much of a reaction greeting me as they did with him.

The night wore on with a burst of colors, drinks and expensive cologne and soon, it felt like my head was spinning trying to take everything in.

“I—I think I should go, I might have had too much tonight—” I tried to say, but his hands wrapped around my wrist possessively when he turned to stare down at me.

“Nonsense,” 

“Come, you must meet the others, Ronan would be delighted—” He said, motioning for to the back ends of the hall where the tall silver-haired wolf stood with the most exquisite elites I had ever seen.

His hazel eyes watched me from a black nondescript mask and my throat closed up when I watched his Adam's apple bob as he took a swig of his wine.

A panther…it was the only way to describe the emotionless way he watched us.

Once again, I felt my body closing in on itself until I was only feet away from him, enough to feel the dark aura he had wrapped around his sturdy frame like a cloak.

“Ro! You remember Eldwood, don’t you? Doesn't she look pretty? Where’s Dante?” Caius guffawed but the calmer wolf gave no reaction.

The air in the space suddenly felt ice cold as the music banged to a stop and a woman’s chirpy voice echoed.

“Lord Winter! As I live and breathe!” A woman’s high-pitched squeal came from behind me and the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight when she knocked me to the side, flying into the big wolf’s arms like she had been there so many times before.

“What the hell?” I choked, gasping and stumbling back to bump into a server just as his tray of drinks poured over my dress, staining it.

No…no, no!

The eyes of the wolves all turned to me now and the tipsy stranger’s blond hair bobbed as she turned to widen her eyes at me.

She was ethereal…like a fairy, with big doe-shaped hazel eyes and a face so small I could have sworn it would fit in my cupped hands.

How much more embarrassing could one night be?

“Beg your pardon, miss? Are you alright?” the blond fairy tittered, laughing like the sight of my ruined dress was the funniest thing on the planet before she snapped up the wine glass i’d been holding, sipping it with all the air of a queen bitch.

I wasn't buying her innocent act in the least bit, but the ache in my chest was only deepened when both Caius and Ronan checked on her, paying me no mind.

“Dear Goddess, I didn't see you standing there—” She exclaimed loudly, and I stumbled back, hating the look of pity I could see in some of the wolves eyes.

The entire hall suddenly felt too small as a rush of whispers filled the crowd and I tried to stop the jagged way my heart was beating inside me.

“Who is she? One of the show girls? Poor thing, that dress is ruined,”

I wanted to stab my fingers into my ears to drown out the dirge of their murmurs, but I was backing up before I knew it, colliding with a solid wall of chest.

“What the fuck do you think you're doing?” Dante’s voice cut through the air like thunder and I prayed for the ground to open up and swallow me when I spun round to see him glaring down at me.

His mouth had been so close to my ear that my sex instinctively throbbed, the mate bond that had stretched between us on the first night snapping tautly.